Police Officers Pride at being assigned her late fathers force number

Police Officers Pride at being assigned her late fathers force number

A serving South Wales Police officer has spoken of her pride at being assigned her late father’s force number – saying it is like having him with her on duty.

Tributes poured in for well-loved Mark Dicks after he died suddenly at the age of 53 in January. He had spent almost three decades in the police, initially in South Wales before transferring to Gwent in 1996.

His daughter Jemma, 25, fulfilled a childhood ambition by following her father into serving with the police, and the duo used to joke about having the same force number – he in Gwent and she in South Wales.

Following the tragedy, in which Mark died after falling ill while racing motorbikes around a track in South Yorkshire, Jemma decided to ask whether that would be feasible.

Such requests are usually not possible, but South Wales Police made an exception in Jemma’s case.

It has meant that, since May 1, Jemma has been PC 1115, having had Mark’s Gwent force number assigned to her. She says she is “chuffed to bits” with the honour.

Jemma joined Gwent Police as a special constable in 2013 at the age of 21, and was based close to her father, who served in the force’s roads policing unit and as a force driving instructor. As well as being her inspiration to join the police, he was now also her colleague and mentor.

She moved to South Wales Police and became a full-time officer almost a year ago – on May 31, 2016 – and serves as a constable in Eastern BCU, based at Cathays Police Station.

After former Merthyr, Ebbw Vale and South Wales Police rugby player Mark’s tragic passing, Jemma enquired about turning what she and her father had previously joked about into reality.

“My dad passed away earlier this year. He worked in Gwent Police as a traffic officer, and his collar number was 1115,” Jemma explained.

“Seeing as I followed my dad’s footsteps into the police force, I just thought it was worth asking if there was any chance of having his collar number reallocated to myself.

“We always joked about having the same number, and so in the circumstances I thought it would be worth asking.”

Chief Superintendent Belinda Davies, commander of Eastern BCU, supported Jemma’s request, but initially she was informed that it might not be possible.

“I didn’t think HR would be able to do it,” admitted Jemma, from Merthyr Tydfil.

“I was told it would be unlikely, but to leave it with them. Three weeks later, I had a phone call to say that there was no news – but that no news could be good news. Then I was told at the start of April that it had been agreed.

“I was chuffed to bits. It’s not something that might mean much to many people but it means so much to me.

“One day I was 5891 and the next day I was 1115. It does feel like my dad is with me, in a sense. What has happened is never going to go away, but this does help.

“My mother has never been in the police, but she understands just how much it means to me to have this collar number.”

Jemma added: “I’ve now been able to change from 5891 to 1115, and hopefully follow in his footsteps all the way through my career.
“I’m completely chuffed. It just feels amazing, to be honest, to be able to wear his collar number on my shoulder.

“I wear it with pride, knowing how well he did with his job, and hopefully I’ll go on to do exactly the same as him.”

Jemma added that, because of her father’s influence, she has never had eyes on any way of life other than joining the police.

“Since I was really little he came home with all these stories,” she explained.

“I have never thought about doing anything else. Everything has always revolved around the police.”

It was also the thought of her father that helped her when she returned to work following his passing.

“I wanted to come back to work straight away, because I know that’s what my dad would have wanted,” she said.

“It was what pushed me into coming back to work, knowing how proud he was of me working for the police.”

Jemma has also thanked her BCU commander, Chief Supt Davies, for her support.

“She rang me on the first day I was off and sent me a few texts to see how I was, and was just really supportive,” Jemma explained.
“I really want to thank her, and HR, for what has been done.”

Chief Superintendent Belinda Davies said: “Being a police officer really is a vocation, not just a job. Jemma is a promising young officer who is very worthy of her father’s collar number.

“Mark was a popular police officer, a real professional who led by example, so I am encouraged to know that Jemma is following in his footsteps and continuing the proud family tradition.

The vehicle failed to stop following the collision with the officer, who was on-duty at the time of the incident.

The officer has been taken to hospital with head injuries. He was discharged from hospital last night.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector James Mather of Force CID, said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have information about the incident to please contact police immediately.

“I would particularly like to speak to anyone who has mobile phone or dashcam footage of the incident or the vehicle being driven in the town to come forward.

“The vehicle, a red Vauxhall Astra, was involved in a number of road traffic collisions after the incident in Market Square, but thankfully no-one was injured during these subsequent collisions. I would also like to hear from anyone who saw a vehicle matching the description being driven erratically in the town.

“The vehicle was later located in Osier Way but there was no driver or passengers in the car. We believe the driver and two passengers, all believed to be male, fled the scene.

“Thankfully the officer is now recovering at home with support from his family and the force. This incident highlights the sacrifices that police officers and staff make every day to protect the public across the country.

“Anyone who has any information about the incident is urged to call police on 101 and quote reference number 747 (13/2).”

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This is the face of a man wanted after attempted rape of girl aged 10

A huge policing operation has been launched in Manchester to trace a suspected sex attacker who allegedly tried to rape a 10-year-old girl.

The attacker is described as being of Asian appearance, in his 20s and of slim build. He was wearing a dark coat.

The incident happened as the girl was out playing with friends but they became separated at 2pm on Saturday on Kincraig Close in the Openshaw area of Manchester.

Police have said that a man approached her and then tried to rape her in open land nearby.

The girl managed to escape and in a distressed state managed to stop a dog walker to ask for help.

Extra officers will be patrolling Openshaw after a man attempted to rape a girl.

Shortly after 2pm yesterday (Saturday 10 February 2018) a 10-year-old girl became separated from her friends on Kincraig Close.

A man approached her and attempted to rape her in open land nearby.

The brave girl managed to flee and stopped a dog walker to ask for help.

Police were immediately called and searched the area to try and find the offender.

He is described as being of Asian appearance, in his 20s and of slim build. He was wearing a dark coat.

Detective Chief Inspector James Riley, from GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “What happened to this young girl is understandably very upsetting and specially trained officers will continue to support her in any way they can.

“Parents and neighbours will be concerned and we have stepped up our visible police patrols throughout the coming days and nights. If you do have any worries then please feel free to approach them and they will try and assist.

“I also want to stress that we are doing everything in our power to find the man responsible for this and a dedicated team of detectives are working round the clock.

“So far we have a number of witnesses who are being extremely helpful, while we will also be continuing to knock on doors in the area to see if anyone else saw anything suspicious.

“Extensive CCTV is being examined and I can confirm that we haven’t received any other reports of this nature in the area over the weekend.

“With the help of this brave girl and the community we have a good description of the attacker and if anyone recognises it or recalls seeing a man matching that description in the area, then please call us.”

Anyone with any information should call CID on 0161 856 1146. Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Baby death: boy aged 16 charged with murder of six week old

Police have today charged a 16-year-old boy with the murder of a six week old baby.

The boy was charged on Tuesday night and is expected to appear before Southampton Magistrates court on Wednesday morning charged with Murder.

Hampshire Constabulary have not released any details relating to the six week olds death but have confirmed that Police and paramedics were called at 5.05am on Sunday, February 11, to Defender Road, Southampton

They were responding to reports that a child needed urgent medical attention. The baby was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An 18-year-old woman has been released from police custody but remains under investigation.